How pretty

Santiago Calatrava is something else. missallfun hopes Chicago will approve his gorgeous spire. Will it be done? how exciting! If the city approves, construction can start in May and be completed within four years.
Tribune Photo by Nancy Stone: Architect Santiago Calatrava presents the new plan for DuSable Park and the final design of the spire at DuSable Park on Monday, March 26, 2007, in Chicago. Read more at the Chicago Tribune

Missallfun loves this MAN!

the Philosophy of sophisticated fun. Sophisticated Fun (yes this is trademarked already) is the style philosophy of interior designer Jay Jeffers. Embracing vibrant color, graphical textiles and chic mix of vintage and modern furnishings, Sophisticated fun is luxurious and livable. "Interior design doesnt have to be serious, " says Jay. "As long as theres a a focus on quality, attention to detail and proper scale, its okay to have a little fun!" Just look at some his stuff. missallfun approved!

Id like to work on this

such clean lines, rich color, inspiring. missallfun wishes you a great work day! Photo courtesy of Wright Shop it now!

So Fresh and so clean

Picked up a bar of nectarine Milk soap from Fresh and it was a hit! It left my skin soft without that lingering fragrance often found in other products. I think Its well worth the 12 bucks. its really yummy. missallfunapproved

Shopbop Exclusive!

Over the weekend while in NYC, I was able to see some delicious pieces by the new designer Thayer. I saw the designer herself in the Lida dress in surf. It was refreshing, classic and fun. You can get some of her pieces at the fabulous online store www.shopbop.com. The designs are perfect, versatile and can be worn with confidence while still being playful. Ive known a version of Thayer personally for years and always knew it was just a matter of time before she took the fashion world into her own hands. Thayer is doin it well!

Missallfun in NYC

One can really do and see a lot of things in just two days. Here is a rough draft of my whirlwind weekend. All packed with Food, drinks and good friends.
Friday LGA touchdown: I grabbed Lucas and we went for a walk down bleecker which lead them to the Banana pudding at Magnolia bakery. Yummy. Then headed back home for a quick change and off to dinner at Extra Virgin, tasty fritto misto, some scallops, beet salad a nice glass of syrah then grabbed a quick beer at Village Tavern to meet Camp Topper which led to more drinks and some dancing at Professors Loft.
Saturday: Brunch at Leon, believe me you can act a fool here. Missallfun approved! You can scream there, jump around, dance oh and yell. It was such a great day so we took a quick browse at a flea market around the corner. Hands down one of the best things about NYC. STREET SHOPPING!
Waited in line at Venieros for some scrumdidlyumptious cookies. Then off to Soho for a quick check in at Kiki followed by a must Barneys co-op stop. Shopped out, it was time for refueling so we popped into Café Noir for sangria and mojitos, why else would you go there? Before the night began we freshened up at Spa Belles for a mani-pedi fix then head home to get ready for dinner. Dinner for two at The little Owl, a great window seat, candle lit table, adorable view of the miniature planted flowers lining the windows ledge. I hadn't noticed the Rick James Photograph in the restroom on my first visit but this added an element of ...Im calling it whimsy, to the vibe of the restaurant. It really made missallfun happy. Thanks Gabe! 2 1/2 hours later we walked the west village and missallfun was drawn to a mere red light in the distance. Her curiosity paid off when they walked into Turks and Frogs, several glasses of wine and hours later Saturday night was at its end. Sunday: Missallfun wakes, dresses, packs, kisses her lovely host and Lucas goodbye and can hardly wait for their visit to Chicago this summer. Brunch at Café Habana. Yes, she had corn, yes she had café con leche. She waves her Habana girls goodbye and has one hour left to complete her custom itinerary from KATY. Six items on the list and she completes three. Must mention the chocolate croissants from Falai! AMAZING! These made me very happy on the plane. Last stop: a great vintage store, What goes around comes around. Thanks J+L! Ill definitely add it to my must stop list NYC. OHHH missallfun cant wait till next time!

Missallfun not buying paper towels anymore!

On my daily quick browse of the home & garden section of the NYtimes theres this headline. The Year without Toilet paper. Smells a little suspect to me but hey Im way into it. I read on. On Lower fifth there is this power couple, yes they are writers but she owns a pair of chloe boots so they arent your typical tree hugger trying to save the world. That being said, they are serious about their commitment which extends beyond the gasp, toilet paper thing but even more this talk of social glue? sounds romantic..., allowances of only thrift purchases, eating only organically (think food from within a 100 miles of Manhattan), no more paper towels for their housekeeper, lunches only in a mason jar. ok Im exhausted! Please read it. can missallfun do this? could you? I already take public transportation. hmmm not entirely but I could do a few experiments of my own.

my moo arrivals

finally my adorable little moo cards arrived. There motto is think small, share big! How fun. This is how it basically works: you pick photos from your flickr account + add text + hit submit button and in weeks they show up in your mail. It really is too easy and for only 20 bucks you can get 100 little mini moos. A small commitment id say and you can order more. you can make these cute little cards for shameless self promotion or just for fun. stay tuned for the six photos Im currently using. Im using them to promote missallfun duh.

My M&Ms

I love it!!!! You can customize your own M&Ms!!!!!! sorry if missallfun is on the late show but I just came across this amazing service! Im talking colors and yes, have your own personal messages! did you try the dark chocolate ones? yummy. I love it, need it and will order my own for my next big event. This is huge im thinking showers, birthdays, parties, breakups, your balling whatever. ahhhh cant wait for my next excuse. missallfun@itagain!

Australian Vogue Living

Today while at the merchandise mart I stopped into the bookstore and checked out the interior magazine section. of course missallfun couldnt help herself and picked up a few.. How could I say no to this cover? I just heart the Barbie pink lettering! I just couldnt wait to share so I took a photo in the taxi on my way back to my office so I could post it for you. ahhhh AND I already found this perfect room...

missallfun in search for the perfect daybed

this daybed isnt exactly what I am looking for but when in the market for outdoor furniture this could be a winner. Check out the Hampton Bay collection the next time your at home depot. Its such a good price and one of the best looking on the market. ahhhh I cant wait for my next vacation!

Spring fever

with the weather warming up its time for some spring cleaning. Im thinking new crisp white linens. here is some inspiration from living etc.

Shorty

A short person must! I came across these wonderfully hand painted step ladders from the lili pad studio during my daily browse of AT. These would be a great addition to a kitchen or library. ohhh and they can make the transition into the bathroom for all the little ones who are in training .

missallfuns summer must make-up pick

I just love NARS. The colors are great and it never leaves me looking overdone. This limited-edition Blush-Bronzer Duo contains the incomparable combination of Nars' Orgasm Blush (one of my personal favorites)and Laguna Bronzer. This purchase will most definitely lighten your handbag and allow you to transition into that tiny clutch you cant wait to rock!. Get it at sephora while you can.

Fifi arrives!!!

so excited! I usually check my mail about once a month but when I ordered my 2 fifi originals I've really turned into a mail whore. After my sunny run yesterday I checked and there it was, a crisp white envelope holding my precious prints. I cant wait to send them off to the very hip Mars Gallery in Chicago where I can have them framed. I'm thinking colored Mats with danish modern frames. My bunny sweets cant wait to be hung.

Treats of the week

Missallfun had a few great meals in the city last week. so why not share! Head over to Joy Yee's Noodles in Chinatown for a yummy Taro Tapioca freeze and if you dont mind waiting try Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder for a 1/2 pot pie. Bubble teas and pizza? what a fun week!

Missallfun loves a good fish fry

Hot chick seeking flavorful, crispy, semi-salty,tender, flaky, yummy goodness recipes. Preferably a good source of protien that pairs nicely with a frosty beer. This is what I found. Don't you just love how the New York Times reads your mind?

Fried Fish With Vodka and Beer Batter

1 1/2 pounds (about 4 large fillets) turbot, sole or flounder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups white rice flour; more for dusting
2 to 3 quarts vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups vodka
1 1/4 cups lager beer.

1. Rinse fish fillets, and dry with paper towels. Season well with salt and pepper, and dust with rice flour, shaking off any extra. Set aside.

2. Place a wide, deep pan over medium heat. Add oil to a depth of at least 1 1/2 inches, and bring to 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 cups rice flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly stir in the vodka and beer to make a batter. (Don’t make batter ahead of time, or the bubbles from the lager will be lost.)

3. Dip one fillet into batter to coat it completely, and lower into hot oil. Repeat with other fillets. When undersides of fillets are golden brown, after 1 or 2 minutes, turn, and brown other sides, a minute or two. Lift from oil, drain and serve.

Yield: 4 servings.

missallfun stamp of approval!

Have a great weekend!

I just love Betsy Johnsons pool in Mexico!

Virgil Abloh, Man on to something...

Virgil is really living the lifestyle. Missallfun met him back in college where she could always find him at the carts in library mall diving into the latest lunch option of pad thai, attending the biggest rally for someones cause, on the terrace enjoying a cold one, schooling people on the latest sound in music, spinning a killer set at the sidecar, always sporting the freshest sneakers and never to proud to beg for a self enriching cultural experience. Several years later, with even more of that "swagger" that people know him by and a masters in architecture he is doing big things. "Top secret" but big! Mr. Abloh can be found on youtube talking about his home, Chicago, grabbing a fine meal at The Little Owl in NYC., a glass of red really anywhere on Milwaukee avenue or even in a window, working on his latest installation. when I dont see him for a few weeks making the city rounds, it usually means hes up to something. That could include a multitude of things but rest assure its always positive, always innovative, always stylish and my personal favorite, hes always keepin it real. You should learn more about Virg . check out his contributions at The Brilliance.

A feast fit for Missallfun and her guest of honor

Ari got treated to one of missallfuns favorite meals last night. We started our evening with a lovely Shiraz that my sweetie picked up at his favorite spirits and wine shop. He chose a D' Arenberg "The Laughing Magpie" McLaren Vale 2005 which was a hit! we then munched on fresh chive and dill herb dip, rye toasts and carrots while our bird was roasting. The first course we savored on soy honey ginger grilled prawns on a pouf of herb mache and mustard vinaigrette. Our main dish was Roasted lemon and rosemary chicken and roasted smoked bacon brussel sprouts. We where so full! I broke a glass and he so kindly did the dishes. Tipsy as I was, I nearly forgot that we still had to devour the parfaits of brownies, vanilla bean yogurt and roasted rhubarb! missallfun@itagain

fifi lapin

missallfun just made a purchase that she knows you will just love! The oh so stylish miss Fifi Lapin sold me two of her original pieces. Fifi wears Chanel and Fifi wears Gucci. I cant wait to frame them and put them in my space. so cute!

Obama' 08

How exciting! I made my very first obama contribution today. Its a real sense of ownership to the campaign for missallfun. For those who have never contributed you can have your first donation matched from someone else in the country. You too can take ownership of democracy. How fun is that?

Spicy Man

This guy is amazing. He up and quit his job AND sold all six of his cars to open Le Sanctuaire in Santa Monica. He tells the New York Times that he was frustrated with the lack of highend culinary equipment and ingredients on the market. I just love this guy! The man you should know is Jing Tio. He packs up his suitcase full of spices and schools some of the most of amazing chiefs in the world. soooo cooool

Missallfun Luvin Lucite

Hope you like!

Missallfun wishes you a relaxing weekend

Our friends at Domino Magazine never fail to inspire me. Im toying with the idea of a daybed in my living room. What a great way to enjoy all those yummy magazines out there.

Japan has all the good stuff

I want it soooooo bad. Looks like this blog is turning into a collection of things I dont need but want. Forget about blinging out your phone. I want color. Pantone colors? Right up my alley!

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

I work with some of the hottest chics around so when I got this months Sports Illustrated in the office I was rather impressed with the selection. My favorite model at the time is Bar Refaeli and she represents the goods in Negril Jamaica. I will be vacationing there in may and am bummed that I missed her! Thought I would share with you some of my favorite tear sheets. I heart the top by Anna Kosturova. Boys eat your heart out!

Everything is Bustdown

You must meet one of my dearest friends. Finally after some convincing he is up and running. You have to make his blog one of your daily stops. Between his fashion banter and gadget knowledge plan on being entertained and up to date on all the latest technology. Missallfun especially loves his commentary of interiors, dining and The Lifestyle. Mreverythingisbustdown is sure to be a hit!